Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

As I trotted over the plain I began to feel the cravings of hunger almost to a painful degree; which is not to be wondered at, as I had been twelve hours in hard exercise, without rest, and had eaten nothing on the preceding day. After riding a few miles, I saw a herd of Buffaloes; upon giving chase a young bull fell behind the rest, being so fat that he could not keep up with them. After running them a considerable distance, we came to a narrow steep ravine, and, as I saw the leaders cross directly up the opposite side, I knew that the fat gentleman would follow them as well as he was able. Accordingly, I dismounted, examined my caps, and prepared for a comfortable shot. When the rest had disappeared over the opposite brow, he toiled lazily up the ascent. As soon as he was exactly in the place I wished him to be, and not more than 40 yards off I fired. He turned instantly, gave me a fierce look. He began to run strait towards me; but the ball had been true-he required no second, and rolled dead into the ravine below. I now hobbled my horse, took off my jacket, tucked up my sleeves, drew my knife and prepared to make my coup’ desai, as a butcher.-Previously to eating my savage and solitary meal I looked around. There was not a human being in sight to assist me in turning over the body, which is hard work for two ordinary men, but impossible for one; so I was obliged to content myself with skinning only one side. My knife was not very sharp, and those only who have seen and proved the skin of this hairy monster can judge the labor of the task. After an hour’s unremitting work, I succeeded, and then went to open the body. Without much difficulty I got at the liver, and began to eat, certainly more like a wolf, or Indian than a Christian man. After devouring several large morsels, I saw a Indian hunter coming towards me at full speed. He had been unsuccessful, and was hungry. I was nearly choked with thirst, and, as soon as he arrived, made him signs, that if he would fetch water, I would give him as much to eat as he chose. He nodded assent. When he took out the bladder of the Buffalo-I told him to wash it well, and being it back full of clear water. He went off at a gallop, and, in about a quarter of an hour, came back, having executed his commission. I cannot say that the water was quite crystal, but I never enjoyed a more delicious meal than this raw liver, and the water, such as it was. The Indian also showed me two or three other morsels, which I found excellent; and I strongly recommend to any gentleman who may ever find himself similarly situated, to break a bone and suck the marrow.-Murray’s Travels.